Hicks
pipe reactor-continuous
ammoniator process for
production of granular
phosphates

ABSTRACT

PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF GRANULAR MIXED FERTILIZER IN WHICH AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE MELT IS PREPARED IN A PIPE REACTOR AND DISPERSED THROUGH A PLURALITY OF APERTURES IN THE WALL OF THE PIPE AS A FINE SPRAY WHICH SERVES TO BIND SMALL PARTICLES OF FERTILIZER MATERIALS INTO GRANULES. SUCH FERTILIZER MATERIALS CAN INCLUDE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SINGLE SUPERPHOSPHATE, AND UREA, AS WELL AS OTHERS COMMON TO THE INDUSTRY. WET-PROCESS ORTHOPHOSPHORIC ACID TYPICALLY CONTAINING 54 PERCENT P2O5 IS AMMONIATED TO AN   NH3:H3PO4   MOLE RATIO OF ABOUT 1.0 AND THE STEAM FORMED BY THE HEAT OF REACTION ATOMIZES THE AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE MELT VERY EFFECTIVELY, RESULTING IN PROPER DISTRIBUTION OF THE MELT FOR GRANULATION OF THE SMALL PARTICLES. THE PRESENT INVENTION IS A RESULT OF A CONTINUATION OF MELINE&#39;&#39;S WORK IN U.S. PAT. 3,733,191. A SIMPLE PERFORATED PIPE ATTACHED TO THE DISCHARGE END OF THE INLINE REACTOR RESULTS IN EFFECTIVE DISENGAGEMENT OF VAPOR FROM THE MELT AND IN MUCH IMPROVED DISTRIBUTION OF THE AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE MELT, THEREBY FURTHUR IMPROVING THE PROCESS BY ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR MELINE&#39;&#39;S TUBE-AND-ROTOR VAPOR DISENGAGER. UP TO ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE P2O5 IN THE MELT MAY TO POLYPHOSPHATE. THE MELT MAY BE AMMONIATED FROM AN NH3,:H3PO4 MOLE RATIO OF 1.0 TO ABOUT 1.2 OR HIGHER BY ADDITION OF AMMONIA IN THE GRANULATOR. THE AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE IS ESSENTIALLY ANHYDROUS AND THE GRANULES OF MIXED FERTILIZERS DO NOT REQUIRE DRYING. ELIMINATION OF DRYING GREATLY DECREASES INVESTMENT, DUST AND FUME EVOLUTION, AND FUEL REQUIREMENT.

int n UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADElliAR-K OFFICE Published at the request of the applicant OIOvfiltjl' in ncco lnnce "with the Notice of Dec. 16, 1.139, 869 0G, 63 The abstracts of Defensive Publication applications to identified b" di tinctl numbered series and are arranged chronologically. The heading of each abstract; indicates the 11' including claims and sheets of drawings contained in the application as originally filed. The file able to "the public for inspection and reproduction may he purchased for 30 cents 1. sheet.

PIC

.11 exami d as to the merits of alleged invention. The Patent and of the disclosed subject matter.

PUBLISHED NOVEh'lBER i, 1975 9-H) OG. 1:3

wron s rnoc r rnonucrron or GRANUELAR runs? HATES Gordon (3. Picks, 33%? 19th Ave illicit-laid, Ala. 356th), and E. Lancaster, 3n, Kilian, Ala. 35645 Filed (Pct. 24, 1974, Eur. No, 517,452

Int. Cl. 6105b 7/00 US. Cl. 7l--3 l ll Sheet Drawing 13 Pages dnecilication Acm assussrw $2521 /&

nzzvrtr rims FLOW DIAGRAM OF GRANULATION PILOT PLANT USING PIPE REACTOR PROCESS FOR NPK FERTILIZERS Process for production of granular mixed fertilizer in which ammonium phosphate melt is prepared in a pipe reactor and dispersed through a plurality of apertures in the wall of the pipe as a fine spray which serves to bind small particles of fertilizer materials into granules. Such fertilizer materials can include potassium chloride, single supcrphosphatc, and urea, as well as others common to the industry. Wot-process orthophosphoric acid typically containing 54 percent P 0 is ammoniated to an mole ratio of about 1.0 and the steam formed by the heat of reaction atomizcs the ammonium phosphate melt very cifectivcly, resulting in proper distribution of the melt for granulation of the small particles. The present invention is a result of a continuation of Mclines work in US. Pat. 3,733,191. A simple perforated pipe attached to the discharge end of the inline reactor results in effective disengagement of vapor from the melt and in much improved distribution of the ammonium phosphate melt, thereby further improving the process by eliminating the need for Melines tube-and-rotor vapor discngager. Up to about 30 percent of the P 0 in the melt may to polyphosphate. The melt may be ammoniated from an NH :H PO mole ratio of 1.0 to about 1.2 or higher by addition of ammonia in the granulator. The ammonium phosphate is essentially anhydrous and the granules of mixed fertilizers do not require drying. Elimination of drying greatly decreases investment, dust and fume evolution, and fuel requirement.

Nova 4, 1975 G. c. HICKS PIPE REACTOR-CONTINUOUS AMMONIATOR PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF GRANULAR PHOSPHATES On'ginal Filed Oct. 24, 1974 mmwNjrrmwm v52 mOu mmwoOmm mokoafim mnzm 0253 5.24 5 P0 21 20 JDz mo m0 fiqmwic 30 l 35 mos/Gm $2 535 2210 NE E 236 Q). LEEE. 555 k Q @2522 EE b N 0 m zmwmow 93 $226 X I 93 R oEozamoxa 

